From the desk of Victor Pride
Subj: Some books every man should read
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In the past year or two I have read an incredible amount of books.
Most of the books I have read have been hard-to-find, out-of-print, expensive, esoteric, mystery books translated from dead languages.
These books of ancient wisdom have not been read by many people and were hard for me to get my hands on.
They are full of secrets of ancient wisdom and knowledge long lost to us.
You know what I think about all those books of ancient wisdom?
Waste of time.
If you want to succeed and achieve in the modern world, read some modern books.
If a book doesn't give you an immediate pump like the kind of pump you get in the gym, toss it and read something that does.
You will be happy to know that I will not recommend that kind of boring book to you.
Instead, I will only recommend books that kick absolute ass and will fire you up to achieve more, believe more, and attain more.
These are the books that will actually help you get what you want…
THE BEST BOOKS FOR MEN
Please note that I never did very well writing book reports in school. After I read a book, I forget what it is about and I remember only what it means to me.
I don't know the plot of any book I ever read, I just remember the way it made me feel.
I will not do book reports or synopses of books, I simply say what I like about them and leave it up to you to do the rest.
A lot of people might say “But Victor, WHY should I read these books?” to which I would humbly respond…
They are my favorites and they have helped me succeed wildly. If you do not care to better yourself I do not care either. If no one else ever read these books they would still be my favorites.”
Shogun - I read Shogun over 7 years ago and I still think about this book frequently. This book is fiction, a story of a shogun's rise to power in ancient Japan. It is a 1,000+ page epic novel.
The ending of this book is magnificent and teaches you the principles of power. Here is the official description:
A bold English adventurer. An invincible Japanese warlord. A beautiful woman torn between two ways of life, two ways of love. All brought together in an extraordinary saga of a time and a place aflame with conflict, passion, ambition, lust, and the struggle for power.”
Musashi- This is ANOTHER 1,000+ epic novel with an incredible ending (or so I have heard). I have been meaning to read Musashi for 7 years but I have not. I recently heard on Jocko Podcast that the ending of Musashi is unbelievable.
Years ago I mentioned in an article wanting to read this book, I have now re-convinced myself to read this book that I forgot about so many years ago.
Yes, I have never read this book but I have heard from many reliable sources that it is a masterpiece. Also, I personally recommend you read Musashi's piece Dokkodo: The Way of Walking Alone. It is magnificent.
Trump: The Art of the Deal - This book by Donald Trump gave me incredible energy for a number of years. I read it only one time but the power of it stuck with me and turned me from a broke bum into a rich blog artist.
Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder - This book by Arnold Schwarzenegger is the most motivating book I have ever read in my life.
I have read it several times now and each time I read it I get a big dose of motivation to get after my goals in a bigger way than ever before. The Education of a Bodybuilder is VERY HIGHLY recommended by me.
Motley Crue: The Dirt - The Dirt is the most exciting book I have ever read in my entire life. No question. You will not have a choice other than to be fired up and excited for life after reading this crazy book about the behind-the-scenes story of rock band Motley Crue.
Think and Grow Rich- Think and Grow Rich changed my life because it opened my mind to the reality of making money. Specifically, it's all in your mind.
Buddha said it first when he said “The mind is everything, what you think you become” and Napoleon Hill reconfirmed it with his masterpiece Think and Grow Rich.
The Tao of Jeet Kune Do - I absolutely loved Bruce Lee's book. It was filled with unbelievable great quotes. Bruce was a true philosopher of our time and this book is an incredible read.
UNSCRIPTED: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Entrepreneurship - I haven't read this book but I did read MJ DeMarco's other book The Millionaire Fastlane which I read on a boat in the Philippines and is a masterpiece. Unscripted has received great reviews on Amazon so it must also be a great book.
Like I said I have not read it but I certainly will at some point. I read books at my leisure, I do not read books simply because they are new or whatever. Release date means nothing to me. I always read books at the exact right time I need to read them. If you try to read a book before you are ready to receive it, it will be a waste of time and you will quit the book after a few pages.
How To Write a Good Advertisement - This is the best book about writing and advertising I have ever read. If you struggle to write well, or if you're a nice guy who cannot write what he means, I recommend you read this book. It will teach you how to write.
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living - I read this book over 7 years ago and I absolutely loved it. I just felt warm after reading it. I liked this book a lot more than I liked How to Win Friends and Influence People. I highly recommend it.
Zero to One: Notes on Start-Ups, or How to Build the Future - This book was really clever and simple. It broke down one secret of business that many people do not know or understand. What is the secret of business? Every business is based on a secret that outsiders do not know.
Thick Face, Black Heart - Truly a masterpiece of simplicity. It may even seem too simplistic to many people. That is a big problem many people have, they cannot appreciate simplicity for what it really is - the only way to ultimate success.
So many people try to complicate everything they do and that is why they end up getting nowhere, again and again. You must also read the author's other book Do Less, Achieve More to understand the art and science of simplicity.
- Read my article on simplicity here: The Magic of Thinking Small
The Art of War - One of my favorite books of all time. If I were allowed only 3 books to read for the rest of my life, the Art of War would be one of them.
There are many translations and variations of this ancient masterpiece. To find the best version I recommend you find the THINNEST version you can find. This is a very light, quick book.
The more pages of this book means the translator has complicated something that doesn't need to be complicated. Find the thinnest version of this book you can find and rip out the author's foreword. Read only the classic text.
Musashi (A Graphic Novel) - This was a comic book (the only comic book I have ever read in my entire life) but I loved it. Truly one of my favorite books that I have ever read. Reading it was one of the great treasures of my life.
Bold And Determined Vol. 1, Vol. 2, and Vol. 3 (coming December 4) - These are the greatest books in existence because they are nothing more than Bold and Determined. I have done nothing extra to these books.
There is no behind the scenes look, there are no extra “10 Things You Never Knew About Bold & Determined” chapters. There is nothing extra. I found perfection in the first 4 years of Bold and Determined and that is exactly what these books are. Perfection in paperback. Nothing more.
My favorite book of all time is a book called ___ __ _____.
I do not feel the need to say to you “wow, this book is so great you will love it”. This book will find you when you are ready. When you are not ready, it will remain invisible.
You may love it, you may hate it, you may be lukewarm. I don't care either way. The point is, this book will find you when and if you are ready.
Until then, kick some butt and have a great day!
-Victor Pride
PS - What are your best books for men? Leave a comment and let me know.
“Meditations,” by Marcus Aurelius.
This man knew something about being successful, smart and manly.
He’s considered to be one of the fathers of Stoic Philosophy, but shows disdain for being brainy and theoretical.
He was successful as a Cesar, politician, philosopher and was famous for his battle and fighting skills.
When he took his people to war he made sure he was the first guy in the line of battle.
Yes, Meditations is a great book!
Just watched great movie “Acts of vengeance” (Antonio Banderas) which was made around book “Meditation”. Time to order the book and read it, looked very powerful and agree about Marcus A.
Nothing wrong with being brainy and theoretical; you wouldn’t be reading this otherwise.
I would add three books-
Relentless: How to Go from Good to Great to Unstoppable
The Obstacle is the Way
Sell or Be Sold
Get them on audiobook. I’ve listened to each 5-10 times.
No More Mister Nice Guy - Robert Glover
The Way of the Superior Man - David Deida
Keep up the good work Victor!
LOL — Bold and Determined is the anti-thesis of “No More Mister Nice Guy”. I think Victor doesn’t need to read it. :-)
New World Ronin
Me Inc
Gorilla Mindset
New World Ronin definitely!
I Dare You! by William H. Danforth at $.84, more value than you can imagine, get it read it and apply it.
https://www.amazon.com/Dare-You-Linked-Table-Contents-ebook/dp/B01KKTNBTW/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1511892259&sr=8-1
Great list. Two I just read were Think like a freak and Your idea starts here. Both highly recommended.
Thanks for the list Victor. Quite some titles I have not yet read but will in the near future.
I loved Shogun. You are right about Shogun being fiction but did you know that the story is based around William Adams. Adams in fact did strand in Japan in the same time setting as the book and many of the events apparent did happen in the same order as the book. Only the names of the characters and perhaps some settings are different. It is quite fascinating.
http://www.factbehindfiction.com/index_files/ShogunJamesClavell.htm
This made an incredible story even more incredible in my perspective.
Can’t wait to own all three B&D Volumes!
I recommend
Elan - your power on a plate
You left out the great New World Ronin. That nugget changed me.
I’m stoked to check these out.
The best book I ever read was probably Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.
Tools of Titans by Tim Ferris is a gold mine of advice, not regarding what your next steps should be but how to push yourself harder and farther.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl is also definitely worth reading. He was a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist who believed people could endure almost anything if they had a strong enough reason. He developed logotherapy, which focused on patients finding their calling or purpose in life rather than the typical psychoanalysis we see so often in the west.
For one last suggestion, check out Letters from a Stoic by Seneca.
This guy was counsel to Nero and one of the richest people in Rome, but he never lost touch with reality.
I haven’t finished this one yet, but he’s a hell of an example for anyone looking to stay cool, calm and collected through any circumstance.
The best Book i have ever read is: Nahj ul Balagha Peak of Eloquence by Imam Ali
Imam Ali was the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. He ruled as the fourth caliph from 656 to 661, and was first Imam of Shia Islam from 632 to 661.
Forget thats an islamic book !
Trust me you will realize that you have never ever read something like this before
I challenge you to read it Victor
Some quotes to inspire you:
Avarice is disgrace; cowardice is a defect; poverty often disables an intelligent man from arguing his case; a poor man is a stranger in his own town; misfortune and helplessness are calamities; patience is a kind of bravery; to sever attachments with the wicked world is the greatest wealth; piety is the best weapon of defense.
More wonderful than man himself is that part of his body which is connected with his trunk with muscles. It is his brain (mind). Look what good and bad tendencies arise from it. On the one hand it holds treasures of know- ledge and wisdom and on the other it is found to harbour very ugly desires. If a man sees even a tiny gleam of success, then greed forces him to humiliate himself. If he gives way to avarice, then inordinate desires ruin him, if he is disappointed, then despondency almost kills him. If he is excited, then he loses temper and gets angry. If he is pleased, then he gives up precaution. Sudden fear makes him dull and nervous, and he is unable to think and find a way out of the situation. During the times of peace and prosperity he becomes careless and unmindful of the future. If he acquires wealth, then he becomes haughty and arrogant. If he is plunged in distress, then his agitation, impatience and nervousness disgrace him. If he is overtaken by poverty, then he finds himself in a very sad plight, hunger makes him weak, and over-feeding harms him equally. In short every kind of loss and gain makes his mind unbalanced.
A conceited and self-admiring person is disliked by others; charity and alms are the best remedy for ailments and calamities; one has to account in the next world for the deeds that he has done in this world
A fool’s mind is at the mercy of his tongue and a wise man’s tongue is under the control of his mind.
Value of a man depends upon his courage; his veracity depends upon his self-respect and his chastity depends upon his sense of honor.
Whoever wants to be a leader should educate himself before educating others. Before preaching to others he should first practice himself. Whoever educates himself and improves his own morals is superior to the man who tries to teach and train others.
My fav book is the new world ronin it feels like it was written for me, unlike other popular books.
The 50th Law.
Choose yourself.
How to be a 3% Man.
For intergender relationships- the rational male, period.
For physical training - Body of a Spartan (Victor’s), period. There’s no need for more information
For spiritual development- the wisdom of insecurity, by Alan watts
Victor,
I have been recommending Musashi to you for years.
The ending is great, but not as great as the last page of Shogun.
Seriously, though, as a fellow fan of James Clavell, and having enjoyed your material since 2013, I can not recommend “King Rat” to you highly enough.
Follow it with “Tai-Pan”.
In iron,
Michael
Shibumi by Trevanian
Tales of Power by Carlos Castaneda
Bold by Peter Diamantis
The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz
I’ve read most of those books and they are indeed excellent.
“The Unchained Man” and “Play to Win” are also great for the type of men that visit this site.
Obviously my book “How to Live a More Interesting Life” is awesome too! ;)
Sometimes when I am super busy I can only read a page or two a day. Other times I can squeeze in 100 pages. Either way, books are an important part of success.
The other part is too not just read, but to act. Build momentum like you mention in “New World Ronin”. (New World Ronin” should be on this list too!
Great stuff. I’m definitely going to read some of the ones on this list that I haven’t read yet.
All the best,
D
As a book which left an indelible mark on my soul .. I can only recommend ” the idiot” by Dostoïevski. I read ” Crime & Punishment ” who is great too but more difficult. I think it is easier for a beginner to start by ” the idiot”.
Thick Face Black Heart is an incredible book, I think I need to read the other ones on this list.
… And yet you still haven’t mentioned the Greatest Book of all: THE HOLY BIBLE (King James Version [KJV])!
EVERY MAN should read the God Book. Amen.
~ Bro. Jed
“Thick Face Black Heart” — loved that book and have only heard one other person mention it (Matt Furey, who recommended it). I think that’s probably the one. I read the Power of Now and liked the emphasis on the Present, just found the last part a little too mystical for me.
Just once Read Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta.
https://www.amazon.com/Green-King-Paul-Loup-Sulitzer/dp/0818403586
The Sovereign Individual taught me about the present by showing me history and drawing conclusions from it. It predicted many things that would happen and is still predicting more to this day and also describes things that already are happening but are too slow and too big for most to notice. It also gave me strategies for the future according to all that.
Written in 1994, it is a masterpiece that still has lots to offer to anyone reading it today.
Sam Sheridan wrote three hardcore manly books that I recommend:
1) A Fighter’s Heart
2) A Fighter’s Mind
3) The Disaster Diaries
The first book is about his journey into the world of fighting (Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, Boxing).
The second book is about the mindset of champions.
The third book is about the author traveling the US going to survival schools, performance driving schools, firearms training, etc.. It is extremely interesting.
I also enjoyed Blind Courage by Bill Irwin. It’s about a blind man who hiked The Appalachian Trail in its entirety with his dog.
Atlas Shrugged.
No other book comes close.
Hemingway is nice reading, so is The Great Gatsby, but it took a book with a female author and protagonist to teach me the virtue of being a badass who wants and receives what he works hard for.
Highly recommended.
““Let me give you a tip on a clue to men’s characters: the man who damns money has obtained it dishonorably; the man who respects it has earned it.” ” - Atlas Shrugged
It has nothing to do with books but Jordan Peterson is one of the few you can listen.
He is such an intelligent person.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey493UXR-7w
He has been on one of the last Jocko Podcast … Number 98 I think…
Very interesting books, i have read some of them, but the one I recommend is: Think Big and Kick Ass in Business and Life by your dear DONALD TRUMP!!
Hi, Victor! You invited commentary regarding best books i’ve read. That gave me pause to evaluate how I would order books I’ve read: 1. Bible 2. Think and Grow Rich 3. Three Feet From Gold 4. Face the Fear And Do It Anyway 5. How To Win Friends And Influence People 6. The Book of Mormon 7. Iliad & Odessey 8. The Real George Washington 9. The Real Thomas Jefferson 10. The Real Benjamin Franklin
Elliot huses book KING.
OR any ernst junger books.
Spelled his last name wrong it’s Hulse.
And another masterpiece book is
Ironmind: stronger minds, stronger bodies.
Get that from ironmind.com
Also mindset the new psycology of success. Best books I’ve read of late and I agree with the first commenter on Marcus book meditation.
Get Serious: A Neurosurgeon’s Guide to Optimal Health and Fitness by Dr. Brett Osborn | Hagakure | Panzram | Israel’s Secret Wars | some others you mentioned already
I will be buying the books you recommended.
Check out these books, I guarantee you will find much benefit from them:
The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles (1910)
The Science of Being Great by Wallace Wattles (1910)
I have not had a problem with money since I read these. They are based heavily on the idea of Faith, Gratitude, and Vision, all else in life comes easy after you master these concepts.